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Taking To The Air – On Scene with Bill Wilson

On Friday I had the opportunity to get a unique view of the fleet week air show from the USCGC Aspen. Aspen is home ported in San Francisco, California and is responsible for servicing over 180 aids to navigation, in addition to 12 National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration buoys. She is one of the most advanced vessels afloat today, integrating the latest technological developments in computers, navigation, environmental protection, and remote monitoring systems. The Integrated Ships Control System coordinates radar, satellite navigation, and computer-generated charts with the ship’s controllable pitch propeller, rudder, and thrusters. With these advancements working in concert, Aspen can maintain station within a 5 meter circle without human intervention. Aspen is also equipped with an advanced oil-skimming system know as the Spilled Oil Recovery System (SORS).

There were four buoys placed in the bay forming a box that provides a target area for the air show. We were actually the north anchor of that box. So the vessel had a serious mission, we just got to go along for the ride and the great views it provided.

I am still in awe of how close one of the planes was able to come to us. These photos are with a 135mm telephoto lens.

We were treated to the entire Blue Angel performance, unlike Sunday’s weather related abbreviated performance. While one Blue Angel did get as close to us as the other plane, it never tilted or leveled out, but we did get a good view of the underside of the plane.

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